Yemi Osinbajo calls for people-centered justice reform in Nigeria

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s justice reform agenda, advocating for a system designed around the needs of citizens rather than institutional convenience. Speaking at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, Osinbajo emphasized that a people-centered approach would strengthen governance, improve transparency, and enhance legal protection for Nigerians.

Osinbajo, represented by former Lagos State Attorney-General Ade Ipaye, argued that meaningful reform must be evidence-based and driven by data. He stressed the importance of gathering reliable information on citizens’ justice needs and case outcomes, noting, “What is measured is what gets funded and fixed.”

Key areas identified for immediate reform include pre-trial detention, small claims, first-response mechanisms, and legal assistance. Osinbajo suggested that achieving early successes in these sectors could build the necessary public and institutional support for more complex, long-term reforms. He further urged that justice reforms be domesticated by state governments and embedded within permanent institutions to ensure they remain effective beyond specific political administrations.